Friday October 7, 2011

Worldwide shipments of 'Smart Home' sensor network chipsets will
approach 100 million, critical enablers for the nearly $6 billion
in projected revenue for cloud based smart home applications,
according to the latest research from ON World.

'Smart Home' products and services will grow dramatically over the
next few years, reaching tens of millions of homes, according to ON
World's "Smart Home
Sensor Networks" report, as IP infrastructure enables more
smart mobile devices, along with cloud apps and services and sensor
network technologies.

All these will become increasingly prominent in modern 'smart
homes' around the world in the coming five years, providing
homeowners with more affordable technology that will enable them to
cut costs and enhance the home experience in terms of convenience,
safety and security, according to the report's authors.

Surveying over 500 consumers, ON World researchers found that
nearly half are interested in 'traditional' Smart Home
applications. Nearly 3 in 10 are willing to pay $10 per month or
more for a service that provides remote access, automation and
control of home systems, such as lighting, security and
energy.

Demand for energy solutions is the primary drive underlying
development of the Smart Home market, according to ON World. Though
lagging in the U.S., smart metering initiatives are proceeding
faster in Europe, where the market for real-time energy display
devices and systems is set to reach 4 million installed by
year-end, most of them in advance of smart meter installations, ON
World found.

In addition to wireless sensors and actuators, IP-based automation
systems and Web applications that provide automation of home energy
systems are other critical elements of the 'Smart Home' environment
of the near future.

Millions of U.S. households will adopt energy management products
and services within the next few years, according to ON World,
primarily through home security and broadband carriers, along with
professional installers and online and traditional retail
outlets.

Ensuring that all the 'Smart Home' network devices and services
work together and are secure are among the challenges providers
will have to overcome if they're to compete successfully and see
the market grow to reach its potential, ON World's research team
notes.

ON World's Smart Home research group surveyed and interviewed 900
individuals in putting together the "Smart Home Sensor Networks"
report, which covers market opportunities by sensor networks
including equipment, installation, cloud services
and chipsets.

The research highlights the growing smart home opportunity for CHR
clients. Broadband carriers can play a
significant role in this emerging business, potentially realizing
additional revenues as a result.